FORNEBU, Norway and PARIS, Oct. 26, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- On Wednesday October 25 2006, Telenor entered into a definitive agreement with Apax Partners France for the sale of Telenor Satellite Services (TSS) to funds managed by Apax Partners for a cash consideration of US$400 million (NOK 2,640 million). Since 2002 Telenor has defined Telenor Satellite Services as non-core business. Apax Partners intends to pursue the development of the company in Norway and abroad.
Telenor Satellite Services offers communication solutions via satellite to land, air and sea. The transaction will not impact the services provided by TSS and business relations with customers will remain unchanged.
"Apax Partners is a very capable owner, and the sale of Telenor Satellite Services is made in accordance with Telenor's strategy to divest business operations that fall outside the scope of our core activities. We are pleased that Telenor Satellite Services will now have an owner that is well-positioned to continue the development of the company," said Bjarne Aamodt, Chairman of Telenor Satellite Services and Senior Vice President in Telenor.
"We are delighted to make a further investment in satellite communication services by acquiring TSS. TSS is not only a major provider of mobile satellite services, but also a leading competitor in the high growth VSAT business segment, providing mission critical satellite communication services to demanding clients worldwide. Apax Partners will rely upon TSS' management and employees to pursue the development of the company in Norway and abroad, and to continously enhance its services to meet the needs of its customers," said Bertrand Pivin, Partner at Apax Partners in Paris.
The transaction is subject to approval from regulatory authorities. Given the current exchange rate for USD, Telenor ASA will be able to post a gain of approximately NOK 1.4 billion from the sale. The transaction will not affect any other units of Telenor ASA that use satellite as their communications platform, including Telenor Broadcast/Telenor Satellite Broadcasting.
About Telenor Satellite Services
Telenor Satellite Services offers communication solutions via satellite to land, air and sea. Unlike Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, TSS does not own or operate satellites by itself.
Telenor Satellite Services currently has approximately 550 employees, operating in offices located in Norway (232 employees), in the U.S. (168 employees), as well as in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America. In 2005, Telenor Satellite Services generated revenues amounting to US$376.9 million (NOK 2,428 million) and an EBITDA of US$61.0 million (NOK 392.8 million). For the first nine months of 2006, TSS' revenues were US$285.7 million (NOK 1,834 million) with an EBITDA of US$43.7 million (NOK 280.8 million). Similar figures for the first nine months in 2005 were revenues of US$281.3 million (NOK 1,792 million) and an EBITDA of US$42.8 million (NOK 272.8 million).
About Apax Partners
Apax Partners is one of the world's leading private equity investment groups. It operates across Europe, Israel, the United States and Asia, and has more than 30 years of investing experience. Funds under the advice of Apax Partners total EUR 16 billion around the world.
Apax Partners Funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. They invest in companies across its global sectors of Tech & Telecom, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare and Financial & Business Services.
Examples of investments in telecoms include: TDC, Intelsat, Tim Hellas Communications, Bezeq, Versatel, Q-Telecom and Outremer Telecom.
For more information visit: www.apax.fr and www.apax.com.